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Easy last minute Galentine's Day party decor ideas. Pastel balloons, heart cutouts, candles, fairy lights, streamers, red pink table runner
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Easy, Last Minute, Galentine’s Day Decor Ideas

No time to create the perfect ambience for your Galentine’s Day party?  For easy, last-minute Galentine’s Day decor, focus on quick and easy additions like: balloon clusters in pink and red hues, heart-shaped cutouts from construction paper or fabric, candles, fairy lights, easy Galentine’s DIY streamers, festive table settings with pink napkins.  Galentine’s Day Decor Made Quick and Easy  In a nutshell, what you just need is a mix of pink and red accents on your existing decor and furniture; you can even use leftover Valentine’s Day decorations with a Galentine’s twist by adding friendship-themed elements. Without further ado, here are some easy and last minute Galentine’s Day decor ideas for this upcoming February 13th, 2025 holiday: Balloon Bouquets: Grab a few pink and red balloons then tie them together in clusters, and place them around the room. Tie them to the back of your chairs, behind your couch, etc. Heart Cutouts:As mentioned earlier, you can cut out heart shapes from colored or construction paper or red fabric and stick them to walls, windows, or onto your existing picture frames. Fairy Light Ambiance:Drape string lights or fairy lights around doorways, windows, or drape them over tables to create a cozy and inviting glow. Candle Arrangements:Place white, pink and/or red colored candles of different sizes together on a tray, a round mirror or your coffee table. Bonus points if you have a pearly white, red, or pink bead garland leftover from Christmas that you can use to decorate around the candles. DIY Galentine’s Day Banner:Use Canva or your laptops’ built in picture editing software to type and print out (or you could find a free Galentine’s Day banner online) “Galentine’s Day” on a few printing papers, then glue the sides together to create one giant, room sized banner. String up on the wall behind where your party will be sitting.Red or Pink Table Runner:Really running low on time or want super low-effort Galentine’s Day decor? Throw a pink or red runner over your existing tablecloth for a quick pop of color. Done and done. Festive Galentine’s Day Napkins:Use pink or red napkins with heart-shaped or just red colored napkin rings for your table setting. Photo Frame with a Sweet Message: Take a charming picture frame you already have and write a sweet Galentine’s Day message on a piece of paper like “BFFs Forever” or “Love You, ladies” and insert it inside the frame. Place it on a table or hang it up for a personal touch. DIY Message Wall or Board:Create a space where your guests can jot down fun or heartfelt notes. Tape up some Kraft paper or if you have a white board to mount on the wall and let everyone write their favorite memories, quotes, or inside jokes. It’s a fun and interactive way to bond, plus it makes a great conversation starter. Galentine’s Conversation Candy Jars:Buy a few of those old-fashioned sweetheart conversation candies (the ones with funny messages) and pour them into mason jars as centerpieces. They’re colorful, retro, and will spark fun conversations as guests snack and read the messages on the candy. Mini LED Lanterns:Take some LED tea lights and place them inside mason jars, wine glasses, or re-use old candle jars if you’ve got any left over. Scatter them around the room to create a soft, twinkling glow. Wrap some pink ribbon around the jars or sprinkle a bit of glitter inside for an extra sparkle. You can also just buy mini LED lanterns if you want to keep it to a minimum. Lipstick Mirror Messages:Write fun Galentine’s Day messages or doodles on your mirrors with lipstick. “You’re a 10/10,” “Happy Gal’s Day” or just draw a bunch of little hearts. It wipes off easily and it’s a simple way to add a celebratory, fun touch to your party. Candy Scattered Tablescape:Place M&Ms, Hershey’s kisses, conversation hearts, wrapped chocolates hearts- basically any candy- in different looking small dishes around the party room. Think candy filled crystal dish bowls, ramekins, mason jars or any random glass bowls that you have in your kitchen. Basically edible decor. Looks cute, tastes even better. DIY Galentine’s Paper Chain Garland:Remember those old-school paper chains you made in art class as a kid? Cut out strips of pink and red paper, loop them together, and tape or staple to create a simple, fun Galentine’s Day themed garland. Shake it like a (Faux) Polaroid Picture:Print out – or cut out rectangles of white construction paper – Polaroid-style frames. Tape them to the faux polaroid wall and let guests write inside jokes or draw doodles inside them. Think “photo booth” with zero actual photos required. DIY Love Potion Station:Set out a “Love Potion” drink bar with pink or red drinks like orange and cranberry mimosas, cranberry juice and vodka, rosé wine, or spiked berry lemonade. Add a heart shaped sign, and it’s a festive (but super easy) touch. Heart-Shaped Sticky Notes Wall:Take heart-shaped sticky notes and write sweet, empowering messages on them. Stick them to a hallway or dining room mirror, or stick them on a serving or coffee table for a fun little surprise. Chocolate Fondue Hack: No actual fondue set needed—just melt semi-sweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and set out skewers with strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzels for dipping. Keep the bowl on a kitchen heating tray, or a cork serving mat as that helps retain the heat. Looks cute, but it’s ridiculously easy. Mason Jar Love Notes:Set out a mason jar and a stack of small paper notes, with pink or red ribbons next to them. Let guests write something nice about each other, wrap a ribbon around each note, and drop them in. At the end of the night, read them aloud or let everyone take one as a keepsake. Quick Galentine’s Day Centerpiece:Fill a bowl or tray with whatever festive items you have—Valentine’s candy, wrapped heart shaped chocolates, pink scrunchies, heart-shaped sunglasses, or anything in shades of red and pink and white. It looks intentional,

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Easy, Last-Minute Galentine’s Day Party Ideas
BLOG, LIFESTYLE

Easy, Last-Minute Galentine’s Day Party 2025 Ideas

You waited until the last minute to plan a Galentine’s Day party you promised to host, and now you’re panicking over where to start; whether decor, food or otherwise, we’ve got some easy party ideas. Whether you’re celebrating with a fun girls’ night out or hosting a Galentine’s bash at home, these easy, last-minute Galentine’s Day party ideas will have your girlfriends thinking you planned it all weeks ahead.  Wait, What’s Galentine’s Day? When is Galentine’s Day celebrated? Galentine’s Day is usually credited to a 2010 episode of the show Parks and Rec, where Amy Poeherr’s character Lesie Knope, declares February 13th as a day to celebrate female friendships. The day can also be celebrated on February 14th, instead of Valentine’s Day.  While the show popularized the term itself, Galentine’s Day has been unofficially celebrated by women before that (I have pictures of me and my girlfriends celebrating it years before the show came out) in one form or another. There’s also Palentine’s Day – a day to celebrate platonic friendships no matter the gender – and   Malentine’s Day to celebrate male friendships on February 13th or 14th. No matter if you’re celebrating Galentine’s, Palentine’s or Malentine’s Day to mark your friendships or because you’re single, below are some simple and easy party planning ideas that don’t require lots of time, effort or money. 1. The Classic Brunch (Mimosas Fix Everything) Since Galentine’s Day brunch originated with Leslie Knope and Parks and Rec, why not pay homage to the OG Galentine’s Day idea, with your own take? Making a brunch reservation would be the easiest way to get your hands on some delicious food and mimosas. No time to make reservations or there’s no reservations left? Host a DIY Galentine’s Day brunch at home: Make a DIY mimosa bar. All you need is chilled pulp-free orange juice and champagne (or any white, sparkling wine) for the original mimosa recipe. You can add cranberry, peach juice and raspberry fruit to the mix if you’re feelin’ fancy. You can just serve the chilled champagne and raspberries for extra minimalism – or lack of time! Serve plain waffles or pancakes with fun toppings on the side that guests can add themselves. Nutella, fruit, jam, blueberry coulis, maple syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles. The flavor combos are endless. Make a very simple but filling, brunch charcuterie board. You can make one, two or all three of the brunch recipes. Really short on time? Store-bought pastries like plain or chocolate croissants and a pot of coffee or espressos work just as well.  2. A Cozy Movie Night (PJs Required) Sometimes the best girls’ night out idea is staying in! Pick a few rom-com classics (think Legally Blonde, 13 Going on 30, Clueless, or Bridesmaids), throw on your coziest PJs, and make it an all-snacks, relaxed kind of night.  You can include: A popcorn bar with different seasonings like dried dill and salt and vinegar. Mimosas, champagne, red wine or mocktails for peak relaxation. Bring out board games like Cards Against Humanity, We’re Not Really Strangers, or others for a little friendly competition. Bonus points if you do a Parks and Rec “Treat Yo’ Self” binge watch marathon. 3. Last-Minute Galentine’s Day DIY Spa Night Instead of making things complicated, minimize down and host a Galentine’s Day Spa night. Ask your girlfriends to bring their favorite self-care and skincare products for everyone to share. A few easy Galentine’s Day DIY spa recipes for self-care: DIY sugar body scrubs. Mix granulated sugar with coconut or olive oil plus essential oils of your choice. The most commonly added essential oils are lavender, rosemary and orange. Cucumber eye masks. Cucumber slices can help with puffiness and dark circles around the eyes because they contain high levels of vitamin K. Hand and foot soaks. Here’s a simple DIY hand and foot soak recipe: A basin full of warm water + 1/2 cup Epsom salt + a few drops of lavender oil. You can add milk for added softness. Hydrating sheet face masks to relieve your skin from the dry winter air. 4. A DIY Wine & Paint Night No art skills required for this DIY Galentine’s Wine and Paint night! Grab some cheap canvases (check out the closest dollar store), brushes and acrylic paints, and let creativity and fun begin. What to paint? Try painting each other’s portraits in street caricature style, recreate an iconic Parks and Rec moment – think Katherine Hahn’s Poncho! moment, or Jean Ralphio’s She’s the wooorst – or pull up a simple art tutorial on YouTube as inspiration. Add some mimosas or wine to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a memorable night. 5. ‘Steal the Gift’ Galentine’s Edition Think of Steal the Gift as a more fast moving, White Elephant’s chaotic cousin. How Steal the Gift works: Everyone brings a small, cute gift. Think candles, fuzzy socks, mugs, face masks for the DIY spa night above; Nothing too expensive.  Place all the gifts in the center of the room. Taking turns, each person rolls a single die and chooses a gift or steals a gift from someone if they roll a 6. If your gift gets stolen, you roll the die again; if you get a 6, you can steal it right back or take someone else’s. The game keeps going until everyone has a gift.   Why it’s fun: The roll of the dice keeps things unpredictable and fast moving. It’s low effort; no fussy decor, food, or pricy gifts, just grab something if the die turns 6. Tip: Sweeten the pot by adding a “Golden Ticket” rule: One gift should contain a raffle ticket or a small note inside it. The person who opens this gift can use the Golden Ticket to steal any gift at the very end of the game even if it’s been stolen before. To avoid sour grapes and potentially someone going home empty handed you can alter the Golden Ticket rule and make

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10 Actionable Ways of Coping with Relationship Loss
LIFESTYLE, WELLNESS

10 Actionable Ways of Coping with Relationship Loss

It’s only the beginning of 2025 and we’ve already seen a whole slew of public breakups. And maybe you’ve found yourself in the same predicament: whether you were the dumpee or the dumper. One minute, they were your person and the next minute? They’re no longer sharing your bed, your home, or your life. Whether the decision was yours or not, you’ve found yourself alternating between anger, sadness, and the temptation to text them day or night. You’re not just sad, you’re mourning a relationship. It’s losing a version of your life. But, here’s the good news: you can move on, and no, it doesn’t involve doomscrolling until 4 am or obsessively checking their social media. Instead, here are 10 tips to cope with relationship loss and get your life back on track. 1. Accept That It’s Over (Even If Your Brain Disagrees) Denial is a hell of a drug. Your brain is wired to cling to familiarity, which is why you can’t stop thinking: “Maybe they’ll text. Maybe we’ll work it out. Maybe…” ✔ Reality check: They’re not coming back, and even if they do, it won’t be the same. It ended for a reason. Accepting the breakup is the first step in moving forward. These 3 steps are good starting points on how to accept a break up: Stop checking their social media. Nothing good comes from it. Block and delete their number if you know you’ll be tempted to text. Whenever you start reminiscing, remind yourself why the breakup happened. Acceptance isn’t instant, so you might find yourself indulging in the above. But the sooner you stop fighting reality, the sooner you can start moving forward. It’s a process. 2.  Mourn the Relationship You might have heard about the 5 stages of grief. It’s known as the Kübler-Ross stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. You can use the 5 stages to mourn the relationship in the following ways: Denial is the first step when a break up occurs. You fantasize about getting back together or you refuse to believe it’s really over. Denial is a coping mechanism. Spending time to process the loss with friends, family, or a therapist can make you feel better. Anger. Let yourself feel the breakup. Cry. Punch a pillow. Rant in your Notes app. Don’t suppress your feelings. Processing them is what helps you move on. Bargaining. You find yourself thinking, “If only I had been more patient, we could still be together.” or, “We can still be friends, and eventually rekindle the romance.” This stage is the “what if” and “if only” stage. Depression. This stage of relationship loss is when deep sadness and a lack of motivation take over. Some days you’ll feel fine; others, you’ll spiral. That’s normal. Acceptance is the final stage. At this point, you stop resisting the breakup, stop bargaining and finally acknowledge the breakup. You’re still going to feel sad, but you’re finally moving on with your life. 3. Use the Power of Silence After a Breakup For some people, once a relationship is over, it’s over. They’re hurting, but they’re not sending their ex “I miss you” texts. For others, going no contact is impossible even though it’s necessary. Here’s how to go no contact: No “just checking in” texts. Remind yourself you’re sending this text for selfish reasons. No rewatching old videos or rereading messages that might tempt you to call or text, “Remember when we did this?” or “I miss vacations with you.” No “I miss you” texts. Just don’t. Using the power of silence after a breakup isn’t about ignoring your former partner, it’s about giving yourself time and space to detach and heal. 4. Consider Relationship Therapy Should You Go to Therapy After a Breakup? Short answer: It depends. It’s normal to cry and feel depressed about your break-up for a long time. However, if your mental health is spiraling to the point of self-destruction – feeling like you want to hurt yourself or others – or it’s been years and you still haven’t moved on, therapy after a breakup can be a game-changer. A therapist can help you: Process the breakup without obsessing. Recognize unhealthy relationship patterns. Recognize your attachment issues. Learn coping skills that actually work. If your breakup is hitting harder than expected, and the answer to the “Should I go to therapy after a breakup?” question is a resounding yes, consider making an appointment with a relationship therapist or a counselor soon.  5. Rewrite the Story & Stop Romanticizing the Past Your brain loves to lie to you. It will loop the best moments of your time with them, erase the worst, and convince you that you lost your soulmate. If it was perfect, you’d still be together. Make a list of reasons why the breakup was necessary. Remind yourself of their flaws; not just the good parts. Shift your mindset from “I lost them” to “I gained myself.” Your ex isn’t one of the main characters in the story of your life anymore. You are. 6. Get Off Their Social Media Nothing good comes from lurking your ex’s socials. Nothing. What can stalking their stories and obsessively going over new follows do for you? Think about the following: If they seem happy, it’ll hurt. If they seem sad, you’ll want to reach out. If they’re seeing someone new? It will hurt you and make you sad, setting back whatever progress you’ve made. Mute, block, restrict—do whatever it takes. Your peace is more important than their latest post. 7. Break the Routine You Had With Them Relationships come with habits: date nights, daily good morning and good night texts, favorite coffee spots. When it ends, those routines turn into painful reminders. Instead of letting them keep you stuck, switch things up. ✔ Take a different route to work or store if passing by their place. ✔ Go to a new café instead of the place you and your ex used to

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